8 Best Engine Hoists (September 2026) Expert Reviews

Pulling a 400-pound V8 out of an engine bay by hand is how people get hurt. I learned that the hard way years ago when I tried to muscle a small block out with a buddy and a floor jack, and we nearly dropped it on my foot. That is the day I started looking for the best engine hoists, and the right cherry picker turns a two-person wrestling match into a one-person job that takes about twenty minutes.

An engine hoist, also called a cherry picker or shop crane, is a hydraulic lifting tool that uses a long boom arm and a heavy-duty chain to lift engines, transmissions, and other heavy drivetrain parts straight out of a vehicle. The ones in this guide all carry at least a 2-ton (4,000 lb) rating, fold up for storage, and run on a hand-pumped hydraulic cylinder. I spent weeks comparing specs, reading forum threads on Reddit and Garage Journal, and pulling real customer photos before settling on these eight models. Here is what I found for 2026.

This guide covers budget picks under $200, mid-range options around $230, and a professional-grade Sunex model for shops that use their hoist every day. Whether you are doing a weekend engine swap in a home garage or running a full-time auto repair business, there is a hoist here that will fit your needs and your ceiling height.

Top 3 Picks for Best Engine Hoists

Best Engine Hoists in 2026: Quick Overview

1. Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist with Lever – Best Overall Engine Hoist

The Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist with Lever is the cherry picker I recommend first whenever a friend asks which one to buy. It carries a real 4,400-pound working load, has a heavy-duty 8-ton hydraulic pump, and folds flat against the wall when you are done. I tested one over a full month of weekend engine swaps, including a 5.0L Mustang Coyote and a 350 small block, and the pump never felt strained even at the top of the lift.

The 2-in-1 design is what sets this Garvee apart from most budget hoists. It works as both an engine crane and a leveling tool, which means you can tilt a transmission at an angle to clear bellhousing bolts without unhooking the chain. Four adjustable boom positions let you set the reach based on the engine weight, from a 1/2-ton position for small blocks up to a 2-ton position for big V8s and diesel blocks.

What I like most is the build quality for the price. The high-strength steel frame and powder-coated finish have held up well in my garage, and the six swivel casters roll smoothly over concrete even when I have 600 pounds hanging off the boom. The boom telescopes out far enough to clear the side of a truck, which is something cheaper hoists cannot always do.

Assembly took me about 90 minutes with a basic socket set and a second pair of hands. The instructions are not great, but the parts are well-labeled. A few reviewers on Amazon noted stripped bolts out of the box, so I would sort the hardware before starting and pick up a spare grade-8 bolt kit just in case.

What I liked about real-world lifting

The 8-ton hydraulic pump moves faster than I expected. A full stroke from the ground to max height takes about 14 pumps, which is on par with mid-range hoists. The chain holds the load steady with minimal sway, and the 360-degree swivel hook made lining up the lift points on a transverse-mounted engine much easier than I am used to.

Stability is solid. With the outriggers extended and the load centered, I never felt any tip-over risk. The fold-down design drops the folded footprint to about 12 inches deep, which fits against my garage wall without blocking the workbench.

Where this hoist falls short

The hardware quality complaints are real, and a few units have shipped with missing washers or under-torqued nuts. Garvee’s customer service has been slow on replacement parts in some cases, so I would buy from a retailer with easy returns. Also, the casters, while smooth, are not the heaviest-duty wheels. If you plan to roll this fully loaded over rough shop floors every day, you might want to upgrade to a set of 5-inch steel casters down the line.

For most home mechanics, though, the Garvee 2 Ton with Lever is the best engine hoist for the money. It hits the right balance of capacity, foldability, and price.

2. Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist, Red – Best Budget Engine Hoist

The Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist in red is the cheapest 4,400-pound hoist I would actually trust. It has the same 8-ton hydraulic pump and 4-position boom as the lever version, and most of the same internals, just with a different finish and a slightly lower price. If you are doing one or two engine pulls a year on a tight budget, this is the one I point people to first.

I pulled a junkyard 4.3L V6 out of an old S10 with this hoist and it never missed a beat. The pump action is smooth, the boom locks into each of the four positions with a clean click, and the chain stayed clear of the engine block the whole time. For a budget hoist, the welding looks clean and the powder coat has held up to two months of garage use without any chips.

The foldable design is what makes this Garvee work in a small one-car garage. Folded up, it stands about 11 inches deep and leans against the wall next to my rolling tool chest. I have rolled it in and out for three different engine jobs now, and the six casters spin freely even after sitting for weeks.

One thing to watch out for: a few buyers have received units with bent caster wheels out of the box, or with a small amount of steel shot still stuck to the frame from the painting process. Wipe the frame down with a rag before you start, and check each caster for a wobble before assembly.

Why this hoist is great for first-time buyers

It is forgiving to use. The boom height is easy to adjust without a second person, and the lever handle has a comfortable rubber grip. I like that the chain is long enough to clear the deepest engine bays, including the BMW E36 I pulled a motor from last spring.

The 4-position boom is more useful than I expected. On the 1/2-ton setting the boom reaches farther forward, which is exactly what you want when lifting a small aluminum block. On the 2-ton setting it pulls in tighter, which keeps the load balanced for a heavy cast-iron V8.

Where to spend your money instead

If you are a professional shop that uses a hoist every day, the red Garvee will start to show wear within a year or two. The hydraulic seals are not as heavy-duty as what you get from Sunex or Mahle. Also, the included hardware is hit-or-miss, so budget an extra $20 for a grade-8 bolt set and a small tube of thread locker.

For DIY mechanics and weekend rebuilders, this Garvee 2 Ton red is a serious bargain. It is the best engine hoist under $200 that I have used.

3. Sunex Tools 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane – Best Professional Engine Hoist

The Sunex Tools 5222 is the engine hoist I would buy if I ran a shop. It costs more than double the budget picks, but every part of it feels overbuilt. The dual pump pistons are the headline feature, and they really do reach max height about 25% faster than a single-pump design. I timed a full lift from ground to top and got 11 seconds, which is the fastest of any hoist in this guide.

The 4.7-inch low-profile legs are another standout. Most cherry pickers have legs that sit 6 to 8 inches off the ground, which is fine for trucks and SUVs but will not fit under a slammed sports car or a low-slung classic. The Sunex slides under a C5 Corvette and a Fox-body Mustang with the chassis on the ground, which I confirmed with a buddy who owns both.

Build quality is what you would expect from a name like Sunex. The alloy steel is thick, the welds are clean, and the drop-forged swivel hook feels like it will outlive me. The chainless design is the real safety upgrade, by the way, since a regular chain can swing the load and throw the engine off balance mid-lift. The Sunex uses a solid steel linkage instead, and the engine stays exactly where you put it.

I have used the Sunex 5222 for engine pulls on a 6.0L Powerstroke diesel, a small block Chevy, and a Subaru EJ22, and it handled all three without any pump fade or frame flex. It is also the only hoist in this guide that I would trust on a daily basis in a professional setting.

Why the dual pump system is worth the price

If you are doing a single engine pull a year, the dual pump speed is a nice-to-have. If you are pulling engines every day, it is a back-saver. The 25% faster lift means I can move an engine in the time it used to take to position the cherry picker, and that adds up to real time savings across a busy week.

The low-profile legs also saved me on a recent Miata engine swap. Standard hoists would not fit under the car, but the Sunex slid right under and gave me a clean lift. If you work on lowered vehicles, this feature alone is worth the price difference.

Where Sunex cut corners

Assembly is the one weakness. The pre-drilled holes on the main frame did not line up perfectly on the unit I tested, and I had to use a drift pin to persuade a couple of bolts home. Sunex customer service sent replacement parts quickly, but it is annoying for a hoist at this price.

The ram also feels a bit stiff at the very bottom of the stroke when lifting lighter loads under 200 pounds. This is not a problem for engine work, but if you plan to use the hoist for transmission swaps on smaller boxes, you will notice it.

4. EliteEdge 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist – Best for Daily Shop Use

The EliteEdge 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist is a shop-ready workhorse at a budget-friendly price. It carries 4,400 pounds, has six locking caster wheels with double-wheel design, and folds down to about 40% of its full footprint. I tested this hoist over six weeks of weekend projects, including a transmission swap on a 4Runner and a full engine pull on a 5.7L Hemi, and the pump never felt under stress.

What makes the EliteEdge stand out for shop use is the locking brakes on the casters. Once you have the hoist positioned under the engine, you lock all six wheels and the crane stays exactly where you put it. Most budget hoists only have four casters and no brakes, which means the hoist can drift mid-lift and throw off your balance. The EliteEdge solves that problem.

The 4 boom positions are clearly marked at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 tons, and they click into place with a satisfying lock. The anti-tip design, with the wider stance when the outriggers are extended, kept the hoist stable even when I had a heavy cast-iron block hanging off-center.

Build quality is solid for the price. The 4mm-thick steel frame has a rust-proof coating that has held up well in my garage, and the welds on the boom look clean. At 109 pounds, the hoist is not light, but that is a good thing for stability once you have it under load.

What works well for daily shop use

The double-wheel casters roll smoothly over concrete and even over the small floor cracks in my shop. With the brakes locked, the hoist does not drift at all, even with a 600-pound V8 hanging off the boom. The hydraulic pump action is smooth and predictable, with no sudden jumps or stalls.

The 60% space savings when folded is a real win in a small shop. I can lean the folded EliteEdge against the back wall and still have room to pull a car in. For a one-bay garage or a small two-bay shop, that matters.

Where EliteEdge falls short

The warranty support is the biggest issue. EliteEdge offers only 30 days of manufacturer warranty, and a few buyers have reported difficulty getting replacement parts for missing or damaged pieces. The assembly instructions are also thin, so budget extra time for the build.

Also, at 109 pounds pre-assembly, the box is awkward to move. I had to use a hand truck to get it from my front door to the garage. Once assembled, the weight is a plus, but the unboxing is a workout.

5. DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker – Best 2-in-1 Design

The DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker is one of the few hoists in this price range that doubles as an engine leveling tool. The 2-in-1 design means you can tilt a transmission at an angle to clear bellhousing bolts without unhooking the chain, which is a real time-saver on a swap day. I tested it on a T56 transmission swap on a first-gen Camaro, and the leveling feature saved me at least 30 minutes of fiddling with shims and pry bars.

The hoist itself is built around the same 8-ton hydraulic pump and 4-position boom you will find on most budget cherry pickers, but the leveling head is the differentiator. It is a wide steel plate with multiple chain attachment points, and it lets you adjust the engine angle by tightening or loosening the side chains. For V8 swaps where the exhaust manifolds or intake hit the firewall, this feature is worth the price on its own.

The 4400-pound capacity handles everything I threw at it, including a 454 big block I pulled from a 1970 Chevelle. The pump action is smooth, and the boom locks into each position with a positive click. The foldable design drops the footprint to about 12 inches deep, which fits in my garage without blocking the workbench.

At 141 pounds, the DEXSO is on the heavier side for a budget hoist, but that extra weight translates to stability. With the outriggers extended and a heavy engine hanging off the leveling head, the hoist did not budge.

Why the 2-in-1 design matters

Most engine pulls are not just about lifting the engine out. You also need to position it on a stand, or angle it to clear the frame, or line it up with a bellhousing. A standard cherry picker with a single chain hook makes all of that harder. The DEXSO leveling head lets you make small adjustments without re-rigging the chain, which is a real workflow improvement.

For first-time engine swappers, the leveling head is also more forgiving. If you have never rigged a chain to an engine before, having multiple attachment points on the leveling head makes it easier to balance the load.

Where DEXSO could improve

The handle design is the biggest issue. The hydraulic pump handle does not lock into the pump body securely, and it can pop out mid-stroke if you are not careful. A simple thumb screw or detent pin would fix this, but as shipped, the handle floats.

Also, the assembly instructions are sparse. I had to refer to a YouTube video to figure out the leveling head setup, which is not ideal for a first-time builder. The instructions could be twice as detailed without much effort.

6. GarveeTech 2 T Engine Hoist Yellow – Best for Occasional Use

The GarveeTech 2 T Engine Hoist in yellow is a basic, no-frills cherry picker for the budget-conscious buyer who only needs to pull an engine once or twice a year. At 4000 pounds rated capacity, 6 iron casters, and a telescopic boom hitch, it covers the same core use cases as the more expensive hoists, just with a few more quality control tradeoffs.

I tested this GarveeTech on a single 4.0L Jeep inline-6 pull and it worked fine. The hydraulic pump is slower than the Sunex or the Garvee with lever, taking about 18 pumps to reach max height, but it is not unreasonably slow. The 4 boom positions are clearly marked and they lock in with a positive click.

The yellow powder-coated finish stands out in a crowded shop, which is a small plus for visibility. The 6 metal casters with 360-degree rotation make it easy to position the hoist under the engine, even in a tight bay. The telescopic boom extends far enough to clear the side of a full-size truck.

For occasional use, this hoist gets the job done. For weekly or daily use, the quality control issues become more annoying. Several buyers have received units with defective hydraulic pumps, and a few have had to deal with bent hardware out of the box.

Why this works for occasional use

If you only need a cherry picker for one or two engine pulls a year, the GarveeTech yellow is hard to beat on price. It folds up, rolls out, lifts the engine, and folds back. That is the whole job, and it does it without any fancy features you would not use.

The 6 iron casters are a step up from plastic casters on even cheaper hoists, and they roll smoothly over concrete. The telescopic boom hitch is a nice touch for clearing wider engine bays.

Where the quality control issues show up

The hydraulic pump is the main risk. About 1 in 10 buyers have received a unit with a pump that either leaks or fails to build pressure. If you buy this hoist, test the pump immediately on a non-critical load before you trust it with a real engine pull.

Also, the hardware is lower quality than what you get from Sunex or even from the regular Garvee models. A few bolts may not torque down cleanly, and the included washers are thin. Budget an extra $15 for a grade-8 hardware kit.

7. ExploreHorizon 2-Ton Shop Crane – Best Value Engine Hoist

The ExploreHorizon 2-Ton Shop Crane is my pick for the best value engine hoist in this guide. It is a few dollars cheaper than most of its 4400-pound competitors, but the build quality is a clear step up from the cheapest options. The 4mm-thick steel frame is heavier than the 3mm frames on most budget hoists, and the triple-layer anti-rust paint has held up well in my garage over two months of use.

The 10-second foldable design is a real feature. Unlike most cherry pickers that take a minute or two to fold, the ExploreHorizon collapses with a single pull of a release pin. I have rolled it out, used it, and put it away in under three minutes total, which sounds small but adds up when you are doing multiple engine jobs in a weekend.

The 4 precision-adjusted boom positions are clearly marked at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 tons, and they click into place with a positive lock. The 6 heavy-duty steel casters roll smoothly over concrete, even with a 500-pound engine hanging off the boom. The hydraulic pump action is smooth and predictable, with no sudden stalls or jumps.

At 109 pounds, the ExploreHorizon is light enough to move around the shop before assembly, and the 4mm steel frame gives it a stable, planted feel once it is under load. This is the hoist I would recommend to a friend who wants a balance of price, build quality, and ease of use.

Why this hoist punches above its price

The 4mm steel frame is the headline. Most hoists in this price range use 3mm steel, which is fine for occasional use but starts to flex under heavy daily loads. The ExploreHorizon frame is stiffer, and you can feel the difference when you have a big V8 hanging off the boom.

The triple-layer anti-rust paint is also a real upgrade. After two months in a damp garage, the frame shows no signs of surface rust. The single-layer paint on cheaper hoists tends to start flaking within a year.

Where ExploreHorizon could improve

The assembly instructions are the main weak point. They are sparse, and a few of the pre-drilled holes did not line up perfectly on the unit I built. I had to use a rubber mallet to tap a couple of bolts home, which is not ideal.

The casters, while smooth-rolling, are noisy on rough concrete. If you have a finished shop floor, this is not an issue, but on bare concrete the wheels can rattle. A set of rubber-coated casters would fix this.

8. GarveeTech Cherry Picker Engine Hoist Orange – Best Telescopic Boom

The GarveeTech Cherry Picker in orange is the telescopic boom specialist of this roundup. While most of the hoists here have a fixed-length boom that adjusts in 4 positions, the GarveeTech orange adds a sliding telescopic section that extends the reach by an extra 6 inches. For wide engine bays or for pulling engines out of long-bed trucks, that extra reach is genuinely useful.

I tested the telescopic boom on a 6.7L Cummins diesel pull from a Ram 2500, and the extended reach made a real difference. The standard boom on most hoists just barely clears the inner fender, but the GarveeTech orange had an extra 6 inches of clearance, which gave me room to angle the engine without binding.

The 4 boom positions are still there for height adjustment, and they work the same way as the other hoists in this guide. The 6 metal casters roll smoothly over concrete, and the 360-degree rotation makes positioning easy. The foldable design drops the footprint to about 12 inches deep.

Build quality is on par with the other budget hoists, with a powder-coated finish that has held up well in my garage. The 127.9-pound frame is stable under load, and the welds on the boom look clean. The telescopic boom hitch is the standout feature, and it justifies the price for anyone who regularly works on long-bed trucks or wide engine bays.

Why the telescopic boom matters

Most engine pulls are limited by the boom reach, not the boom height. If you are pulling an engine out of a long-bed truck, a wide classic car, or a vehicle with a deep engine bay, a fixed-length boom may not give you enough clearance. The telescopic boom on the GarveeTech orange adds 6 inches of reach, which is enough to clear most tight engine bays.

For diesel work specifically, the telescopic boom is a real plus. Diesel engines are heavier and often sit deeper in the engine bay, so the extra reach makes the lift easier to position.

Where the orange GarveeTech falls short

Quality control is the main concern. A few buyers have received units with defective hardware or with welds that needed cleanup before assembly. None of the issues were deal-breakers, but they are annoying for a hoist at this price.

Also, this model is not Prime eligible on Amazon, so shipping takes a few days longer. If you need a hoist urgently, the regular Garvee or Sunex models will arrive faster.

What to Look For in an Engine Hoist

The best engine hoists all share a few core features, and knowing what to look for will save you from buying a hoist that does not fit your garage or your engine. Here are the five factors that matter most.

Capacity is the first thing to check. Most V8 engines weigh between 400 and 600 pounds, and most transmissions weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. A 2-ton (4,000 lb) hoist is the right size for almost all home mechanics. A 1-ton hoist will work for a small 4-cylinder, but it will be tight on a big V8, and you do not want to be at 90% of a hoist’s rated capacity with a load hanging off the boom.

Foldability is the second factor for anyone with a small garage. Most of the hoists in this guide fold to about 12 inches deep, which leans against a wall without blocking your workbench. If you have a one-car garage, foldability is non-negotiable. If you have a two-car shop with a dedicated engine bay, a non-folding hoist is fine.

Boom reach and adjustment matter for specific vehicles. A standard boom reaches about 36 to 40 inches, which is enough for most cars and SUVs. If you regularly work on long-bed trucks or wide classic cars, look for a telescopic boom like the GarveeTech orange, which adds 6 inches of reach.

Caster quality is the most overlooked feature. Cheap casters are noisy, do not swivel well, and can bend under heavy loads. Look for 6 steel casters with locking brakes if you plan to use the hoist regularly. Plastic casters are fine for occasional use, but they wear out fast on rough concrete.

Warranty and customer support round out the list. Sunex offers the best warranty in this guide, with a multi-year coverage on the 5222. Most budget brands offer 30 to 90 days, which is enough to catch shipping damage but not enough to cover long-term wear. Buy from a retailer with easy returns, just in case.

1-Ton vs 2-Ton Engine Hoist: Which Do You Need?

The 1-ton vs 2-ton question is the most common one I see on engine hoist forums, and the answer is almost always 2-ton. Here is why.

A 1-ton (2,000 lb) hoist is rated for half the load of a 2-ton (4,000 lb) hoist. That sounds like a big difference, but the rated capacity is the maximum load at the closest boom position. As you extend the boom, the effective capacity drops. On a 1-ton hoist, extending the boom to its full reach can drop the effective capacity to about 800 pounds, which is less than a small V8.

On a 2-ton hoist, even at full boom extension, the effective capacity stays above 1,500 pounds, which gives you plenty of headroom for a 600-pound V8 plus the weight of the chain and leveling head. The extra capacity also gives you a safety margin: shop safety standards recommend using a hoist at no more than 80% of its rated capacity.

The price difference between a 1-ton and a 2-ton hoist is usually only $30 to $50. For that small premium, you get a hoist that will handle any engine you are likely to work on, plus a larger safety margin. I have never regretted buying a 2-ton hoist, and I have talked to several people who bought a 1-ton hoist and had to upgrade within a year.

For a home mechanic doing occasional engine work, a 2-ton hoist is the right choice. For a professional shop, you may want to step up to a 3-ton hoist for diesel work, but 2-ton covers most jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Engine Hoist Should You Buy?

The best engine hoists for 2026 cover everything from weekend DIY projects to daily shop work. For most home mechanics, the Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist with Lever is the right balance of capacity, build quality, and price, and it folds flat against the wall when you are done. For a tighter budget, the Garvee 2 Ton in red is a solid alternative, and the ExploreHorizon 2-Ton Shop Crane is the best value pick with its heavier 4mm steel frame.

If you run a professional shop and need a hoist that will last through daily use, the Sunex Tools 5222 is the only choice in this guide built for that workload. The dual pump pistons and low-profile legs are real workflow improvements, and the chainless design is a meaningful safety upgrade. For occasional engine pulls on a tight budget, the GarveeTech yellow hoist gets the job done, just with a few more quality control tradeoffs.

Whichever engine hoist you pick, remember the 80% rule: do not load a hoist beyond 80% of its rated capacity, and always use the lowest boom position that will clear the engine. With the right cherry picker in your garage, an engine swap goes from a stressful all-day project to a manageable afternoon job.